- The Colorado Avalanche visit the Utah Hockey Club in a Central Division showdown on Friday night
- We’ve made our Avalanche vs Utah prediction for Friday, December 27, 2024
- Check out our Avalanche vs Utah prediction and odds for tonight’s ESPN2 matchup
The Colorado Avalanche (21-15-0) head to Salt Lake City to battle the Utah Hockey Club (16-12-6) in a Central Division clash on Friday, December 27, 2024. Puck drop is slated for 9:30 PM Eastern Time at Delta Center, with television coverage available on ESPN2.
The Avalanche enter as road favorites at -140, while the over/under is listed at 6.5 goals. Can the surging Avs continue their strong play and earn a key divisional win? Let’s take a closer look.
Here is our Avalanche vs Utah prediction for Friday night.
Avalanche vs Utah Prediction
I’m backing the Avalanche to get it done on the road. Colorado has won three straight overall and appears to be hitting their stride. The Avs’ depth and experience gives them the edge in this matchup.
Nathan MacKinnon paces the Avalanche attack with 57 points (14 goals, 43 assists), while Mikko Rantanen has potted a team-high 19 goals. Valeri Nichushkin has also contributed with eight goals in his last 10 games.
Valeri Nichushkin with the power move! 💪 pic.twitter.com/FICMcsSFLd
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 11, 2024
Colorado’s offense, ranking 6th in the NHL at 3.3 goals per game, draws a favorable matchup against a struggling Utah defense allowing 2.85 goals against on average. The Hockey Club has particularly scuffled at home, going just 5-6-4 at Delta Center.
Between the pipes, the Avalanche hold the advantage. The tandem of Mackenzie Blackwood (9-10-3, 2.83 GAA, .914 SV%) and Scott Wedgewood has rounded into form lately. Blackwood is 3-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .931 SV% since being acquired.
Five more years in burgundy and blue for Mackenzie Blackwood!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/IlhB9qgRpq
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 27, 2024
Meanwhile, the Hockey Club faces question marks in net with Karel Vejmelka (8-8-2, 2.33 GAA, .917 SV%) shouldering a heavy workload. Backup Connor Ingram has struggled to a 3.61 GAA and .871 SV%.
On the backend, the Avalanche’s top pair of Cale Makar (45 points) and Devon Toews matches up well against Utah’s top scorers like Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther. As a team, Colorado ranks 11th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
While the Hockey Club has some dangerous offensive weapons in Keller (36 points), Guenther (32 points) and Logan Cooley (30 points), the Avalanche are the pick here. Colorado is deeper, has better goaltending, and has dominated the head-to-head series lately (6-3 in last 9). Take the Avs on the moneyline.
Friday NHL Pick:
- Avalanche Moneyline (-140)
Avalanche vs Utah Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL Avalanche | -1.5 (+175) | -140 | Over 6.5 (-110) |
| UTA Hockey Club | +1.5 (-210) | +118 | Under 6.5 (-110) |
The Avalanche are solid -140 moneyline road favorites, meaning a $140 bet would profit $100 if they win. The Hockey Club are +118 home underdogs – a $100 wager would return $118 if they pull the upset.
Colorado is +175 to cover -1.5 goals, while Utah is favored to stay within that margin at -210. Based on the juice, oddsmakers predict a close game that the Avalanche win by 1-2 goals.
The total is set at 6.5 goals, with even -110 odds on both sides. With two top-10 offenses and some question marks in net for Utah, bookmakers envision a higher-scoring affair. The over has hit in four of the last five meetings in Salt Lake City/ Arizona.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of December 27, 2024. Compare the latest NHL betting odds for Avalanche vs Utah.
COL-UTA H2H History
The Avalanche have had the upper hand in the all-time series against Uta/Arizona, going 6-3-0. Colorado has won six of the last nine meetings overall, but Utah did prevail 4-1 in the most recent matchup on December 12.
Recent Results
| Date | Home Team | Result | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, ’24 | UTA | UTA 4 – 1 | UTA | U 6.5 |
| Oct 24, ’24 | COL | COL 5 – 1 | COL | O 5.5 |
The Avalanche are playing some of their best hockey of the season right now, winners of three straight. The offense has come alive lately, too, scoring 4+ goals in each of those victories. Don’t expect their previous 4-1 loss to Utah to faze a surging Colorado squad though.
Utah has competed admirably lately, going 6-2-2 over their last 10 games. They’ve overachieved a bit based on underlying metrics, however, as the Hockey Club ranks bottom-10 in expected goals for (xGF), high-danger chances for (HDCF), and scoring chances for (SCF) at 5v5. Without a full complement of proven NHL goalies, those flaws could get exposed.
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On Friday night, December 27th, hockey fans are in for an exciting matchup as the Colorado Avalanche take on the Utah Grizzlies. Both teams have been performing well this season, making this game a must-watch for any hockey enthusiast.
The Avalanche have been on a hot streak lately, winning their last five games in a row. Led by star players Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, the Avalanche have been dominating their opponents with their fast-paced and aggressive style of play. Their strong offense, coupled with solid goaltending from Philipp Grubauer, has made them a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
On the other hand, the Utah Grizzlies have also been playing well this season, currently sitting in second place in the Mountain Division. With a balanced lineup and strong defensive play, the Grizzlies have been able to hold their own against some tough competition. Players like Tim McGauley and Josh Dickinson have been key contributors to the team’s success, providing scoring depth and leadership on the ice.
In terms of odds, the Avalanche are favored to win this matchup. With their recent winning streak and overall strong play, it’s no surprise that they are the favorites heading into this game. However, the Grizzlies should not be underestimated, as they have proven themselves to be a formidable opponent this season.
Overall, Friday night’s game between the Avalanche and the Grizzlies is sure to be an exciting and competitive matchup. Both teams have a lot on the line and will be looking to secure a crucial win. Whether you’re a fan of the Avalanche or the Grizzlies, this game is sure to be a thrilling display of skill and determination on the ice. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action as these two teams battle it out for victory.